New Picture

I was sent the header picture, and I am totally taken with it.  I am heading out to see those mountains really soon.  In the meantime, I have several quilts that need finishing.  Also want to take some made  gifty things, and there is a project with Community Quilts in my Guild that needs doing.

Yesterday I had a machine mishap. I always test tension, and in doing so run any oil residue off on to a scrap, imagine my surprise after starting the quilting about 10 inches into the work I see a black 'thread' for about 3".  Of, course I am looking at white thread on white fabric.  Ohohwhyme!

• First cover this in cornstarch, go away and eat a giant piece of cake and drink a soothing cuppa.
•  Vacuum the cornstarch.  
•  Unsew the offending section, carefully so as to not to get more smudges. 
• Locate yellow laundry bar soap, water, clean white terry towel, clean soft tooth brush, then gently rub soap on and dab off with damp corner of terry cloth, don't rub too hard or the fabric will show a wear spot.  Do this twice, insure soap is out, dab back with water and cloth.
• Think happy thoughts and all will be well.    And it was.
• This is not the quilt, this is a happy scrappy practice piece for quilting patterns. 

Happy Friday,  gudrun

Tool Tip 2

I recently joined a great motivational group of quilters that are a 'git it done' sorta group.  Someone posted about turning the blade in your rotary cutter to add much life to the blade...and it is true.

Wednesday already! Happy Hump Day.
Gudrun

Tool Tip

I was watching a piecing tutorial.  It was a simple bit about piecing, geared to beginners. (I am not a beginner, but I like watching tuts, never know what little morsel of information one might find.)  This tutorial suggested sewers
put their finger underneath the pieces being sewn together to check and assist with the seams, so they do not flip.  This is good advice.... don't want the seams going the wrong way.  DON'T use your finger.


 Please acquire an awl, stiletto, long tweezers, or perhaps a bamboo

stick used for kebabs.  My favourite is the bamboo stick but as you can see I use/ have them all. The tool at the bottom of the picture is a recycled dental tool found at a surplus/discount style store.)  Using a long thin tool to hold the fabric secure is really much easier (once the habit is acquired of course)  and is not nearly as awkward (especially if you have fat fingers, or old arthritic gnarly ones) nor will you bump, stab, or sew your digit.  Use it to keep seams lined up, and your sewing going straight off the end of a piece. (My Thanks to Jo, who taught me this.)
Happy Monday,
gudrun